Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Oct 30: The Goa government has made it mandatory for all consignments of live poultry entering the State to carry certificates issued by competent authorities in the areas where the birds are procured, in a move aimed at ensuring humane transportation and compliance with animal welfare regulations.
The Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services has issued a notification stating that consignments failing to meet the prescribed requirements will not be permitted to enter Goa. The directions have come into force with immediate effect and apply to live poultry transported both into and within the State.
Under the new requirements, every consignment entering Goa must be accompanied by a certificate from the competent authority in the source area. The certificate must provide prescribed details, including, wherever applicable, the origin, health status and fitness of the birds for transportation.
Transporters must also carry all necessary documents, permits, certificates and records required under the relevant laws and produce them for inspection whenever demanded by the competent authority.
The notification emphasises the need for safe and humane transportation of poultry. Birds must be handled in a manner that prevents overcrowding, injuries and unnecessary distress while minimising the risk of disease transmission.
Failure to comply with the prescribed conditions may result in the consignment being denied entry into Goa, apart from other appropriate legal action.
The notification refers to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Transport of Animals (Amendment) Rules, 2001, the Central Motor Vehicles (Eleventh Amendment) Rules, 2015, and the Bureau of Indian Standards' IS 5238:2001 code of practice for the transportation of poultry.
The move is also in line with the objectives of the Mukhyamantri Swayampurna Goa Poultry Development Policy, 2025, which aims to promote sustainable, safe and hygienic poultry production, strengthen self-reliance in the sector, improve food security and create rural employment opportunities.
The government expects stricter compliance with transportation norms to improve animal welfare and strengthen oversight of poultry consignments entering the State.